Monday, June 12, 2006

Itinerary for Papal Trip to Spain

Here is the the itinerary of Benedict XVI's forthcoming apostolic trip to Valencia for the Fifth World Meeting of Families, due to be held in that Spanish city on July 8 and 9.

The Holy Father will depart from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, whence a two-hour flight will take him to Manises airport in Valencia. Following the welcome ceremony, he will visit the cathedral of Valencia and the basilica of the "Virgen de los Desamparados," After praying the Angelus in the "Plaza de la Virgen," he will address some words of greeting to those present. He will then go on foot to the archbishop's palace where he will have lunch.

At 5.15 p.m., the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain in the palace of the "Generalitat de Valencia." Thereafter, he will return to the archbishop's palace to meet with Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, prime minister of Spain.

At 8.30 p.m., the Pope will travel by popemobile to Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences where, at 9.00 p.m., a festive meeting is due to take place marking the closure of the Fifth World Meeting of Families. On this occasion, the Pope is due to deliver an address. After the meeting, he will return to the archbishop's palace where he will spend the night.

At 9.30 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, Pope Benedict will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration in the City of Arts and Sciences, and then pray the Angelus. At 12.30 p.m., he will travel by car to the airport of Manises where, following the departure ceremony, he will board his plane for Rome. He is due to arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport at 3.30 p.m.